Amusement device embodying a simulated racing game



June 5, 1951 L. B. COOK AMUSEMENT 1mm: momma A SIMULATED RACING GAME- Filed Sept. 11. 1947 2 Sheets-$11591. 1

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L. B. COOK 2,555,785 AMUSEMENT DEVICE EMBODYING A SIMULATED RACING GAME June 5, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 11, 1947 h wmw INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1951 AMUSEMENT DEVICE EMBODYING A SIMULATED RACING GAME Louis B. Cook, Washington, D. 0.

Application September 11, 1947, Serial No. 773,418

2 Claims. (01. 46-45) This invention relates to amusement devices, and more particularly to amusement devices of the type embodying a, number of movable members operating over a surface constructed to simulate a race track, the movable members being operated by an invisible mechanical means disposed under the surface on which the members move.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character including means whereby the speed of any predetermined movable member may be retarded at the will of the operator, thereby providing a device which is exceptionally amusing and exciting to the persons using the device.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a table, and movable magnets operating under the table, there being figured members positioned on the upper surface of the table to be influenced by the magnetic forces of the magnets, to cause the movable members to move over the surface of the table in a predetermined path.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an amusement device constructed in accordance with the invention, a portion of the table top having been broken away, illustrating the operating mechanism supported under the table.

Figure 2 is an elevational View at one side of the device.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional View through the center of the device.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmental detail view illustrating the connection between the control pulleys and endless cables, to which the magnets are secured.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line '6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmental detail view illustrating a modified form of guide for the cables.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8--8 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the device comprises a box-like body portion 5 which is formed with a removable top 6 which ma be constructed of any desirable material, the upper surface thereof being supplied with any desirable design to meet the requirements of use, the present design however being in the form of a race track.

Mounted within the body portion at a point substantially centrally thereof, is a motor 1 to the shaft of which is connected the pinion 9 that meshes with the gear I0 secured to one end of the power shaft ll mounted within the body portion and operating in bearings I2.

This power shaft H extends transversely of the body portion, and is provided with a plurality of clutch members I3 that are loosely mounted on the power shaft, there being provided movable clutch members l4 splined on the power shaft II for clutching the members I3 to the shaft.

The clutch members 13 have wide peripheries that contact with the pulleys l5 loosely mounted on the horizontal shaft 16 that is mounted in bearings ll. These pulleys 15 are formed with peripheral grooves which grooves are formed with transverse notches It, the grooves being designed to accommodate the endless cables is which operate in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, the cables 59 moving over the guide pulleys 20 that operate in horizontal planes, at the ends of the body portion, the guide pulleys acting to guide the endless cables at the ends of the body portion.

Secured to the cables, are magnets 2! that are held in position on the cables by means of the substantially U-shaped bolts 22. Thus it willbe seen that due to this construction, when the pulleys l5 are operated, the endless cables will be rotated in parallel relation with respect to each other, directly under the top 6. The reference character 23 indicates movable members which in this particular case indicate race horses, the members 23 being constructed Of metal to be influenced by the magnets 2i operating under the top 6, with the result that as the magnets move in a circular path, the figured members 23 will follow the magnets and be carried around the top 6, simulating the movements of race horses.

Associated with each movable clutch member I 4, is an operating means including an arm 24 and an arm 25, the arm 25 being so arranged that movement of the arm 25 will operate the arm 24. Connected with each arm 25, is a rod 26 to which the arm 21 of the bell crank lever 28 associated therewith, is connected. A spring indicated by the reference character 29 is disposed under each bell crank lever 28, in contact therewith, the action of the spring being to normally urge the bell crank lever upwardly which results in the movable clutch member being forced into close engagement with the clutch member l3 associated therewith. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, the operator may by pressing any predetermined bell crank lever, move the clutch member 14 to disengage the clutch member l3, permitting slippage to reduce the speed of travel of a particular figured member. The remaining figured members continuing to move will simulate the movements of race horses running a race.

In the modified form of the guide member as shown by Figures '7 and 8 of the drawings, arcuate-shaped tubular ball containers to are provided, the outer surfaces of the containers 39 being formed with slots to permit the clamps 3| that clamp the magnets 32 to the cables, to extend thereinto. Due to this construction, it

will be seen that as the endless cables move in a circular path, the cables will be guided and held in proper spaced relation with respect to each other.

While I have shown and described the principle of the amusement device as carried out in simulating a race track and figured members representing horses moving thereover, it is to be understood that the principle of the invention may be carried out in various ways to meet various requirements. For example, instead of figured members representing horses, the top or surface of the body portion may be constructed or painted to simulate water, and the movable members may be shaped to simulate ships moving over the water. Then again, the figured members may be in the shape of airplanes, soldiers or other desirable representations.

From the foregoing, it is believed that in view of the detailed disclosure, a further detail description as to the operation of the device is unnecessary.

What is claimed is:

1. An amusement device comprising a body portion having a non magnetic upper surface on which movable magnet attracted members are placed, a plurality of parallel endless cables, the upper and lower runs respectively of said cable's operating in a horizontal plane, within the body portion directly under the surface of the body portion, magnets secured to the cables, said magnets moving directly under the upper surface, horizontal shafts mounted in the body portion, pulleys mounted on the shafts over which the cables move, said pulleys having transverse notches intersecting the grooves, a plurality of magnets secured to each cable in spaced relation with each other, U-bolts extending from the magnets gripping the cables, adjustablysecuring the magnets to the cables, said U-bolts extending beyond the cables and adapted to move into the notches as the cables rotate over the pulleys, gearing the pulleys to the cables, clutch members within the body portion controlling the variable speed of rotation of the pulleys and endless cables, and means operated exteriorly of the body portion controlling the operation of the clutch members.

2. An amusement device comprising a body portion having a non-magnetic upper surface over which movable magnet influenced members move, a plurality of parallel endless cables, the upperland lower runsrespectively of said cables operating in a horizontal plane within the body portion directly under the upper surface of the body portion, magnets secured to the cables movable directly under the upper surface, horizontal shafts mounted on the body portion, pulleys mounted on the shafts, said pulleys having peripheral grooves in which the cables move, a power shaft mounted Within the body portion directly under the horizontal shafts, clutch members loosely mounted on the power shaft, contacting with the peripheries of the pulleys rotating said pulleys, independent movable clutch members splined on the power shaft, for o'perat ing with the first mentioned clutch members in rotating the pulleys, operating rods extending through the side wall of the body portion, connected with said movable clutch members whereby said clutch members are operated independently of each other, operating said magnets and movable magnet influenced members LOUIS B. COOK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

